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Lam urges troops to stay focused

Blues coach Pat Lam is hoping his players stick to the plan again this weekend when the face the Sharks in Auckland.

The Blues showed great determination to bounce back from a record loss against the Bulls with a gutsy win over the Stormers last week, but they now face an even bigger test when the face the Sharks after a long trip home from Cape Town to Auckland.

Having picked up 10 points in the opening three rounds, the Blues know they must not give up their home advantage. They now have nine of their 10 remaining matches in New Zealand with seven of them at home.

Lam admitted it is crucial his team pushes on, but was just as quick to point out the size of the task they face in the form of a well-rested and unbeaten Sharks side.

“We can’t look too far down the line. It’s comforting to know we don’t have to travel too far again but this is all about the Sharks right now,” said Lam.

“It’s a big battle again. We have to play as a team again, stick to the game plan and work through the tactics we have for these guys and we will be in with a shout.”

“They [the Sharks] are strong right through … a lot of Springboks, a lot of experience. That was the thing I noticed with the South African teams – there are a lot of older heads in there, a lot of experience right through all five of their teams.”